w.ge – Freshman Seminar Fall 17 DFB

LinkedIn 101: Profile Development

After creating a STARR account, I browsed through upcoming workshops and I found the LinkedIn 101: Profile Development workshop that was taking place on November 16th from 5:15 PM to 6:45 PM. I was particularly curious about LinkedIn and networking so I looked forward to attending the workshop. At the workshop, the speaker, Senesi Blake discussed the elements that are essential to a good LinkedIn profile. The LinkedIn profile should include a professional picture, your location, the industry you work in, your contact information, and a headline that is descriptive with keywords that addresses what makes you different or what you want to be known for. For the summary portion of LinkedIn, Blake suggested to include media and to write in a friendly tone. He also gave us questions to consider such as what our top skills, personal attributes, passions, career values, career goals, top career accomplishments were, as well as to state what makes us unique. To expand our networking space, Blake recommended endorsing others professionally, as they might endorse you too, as well as to only contact/connect with people who you know, have mutual connections with, or have worked with professionally, to join groups, and to stay active by updating your status. In addition, Blake addressed the differences between a LinkedIn profile, comparing it to an electronic flip rotary business card holder and a resume. Information on a LinkedIn profile can be expressed in a personable tone and be more general as opposed to the way information is conveyed on a resume. Attending this workshop was very helpful. I gained a good amount of insight on networking and the importance of connections. LinkedIn is a good resource for getting started on internships and you can even reach out to previous Baruch alumni who are working at a firm/for a company or in a field you are interested in and would like to acquire more information about.

Academic Blog Post: Studying at the Library

Before coming to Baruch College, I found studying or doing schoolwork at cafes and the library more effective than doing them at home. At home, there would be many distractions while in public places like cafes and the library, I would have to watch my behavior, therefore I would not get distracted as easily. After being accepted to Baruch College, one of the places I like the most is the library. It is convenient and very resourceful. There are also a lot of spaces to do work; I can find space to work with others or find space to work individually and enjoy quiet time. There are louder spots in the library but there are also many spots in the library where people do not talk as loudly or do not talk at all. Unlike going to a cafe, the Baruch library almost always has a seat. I think the library is convenient especially if you want to get started on an assignment right away in case you are busy on the day or time its due or if you want to settle on a space for you and your group mates to work on a project since it is a space easily accessible for all. At the library, everyone there has the same purpose as you; to get some work done, therefore I think it is a nice common ground as well. Since the library is so close to the buildings where I have class, if I am doing a homework assignment or project but I am confused about something, clarification is easily accessible since I could just walk across a street or two to reach my professors. There are a lot of computers which can be accessed to sitting or standing and the 500 credits for printing is a generous allotment. Overall, the Baruch library is one of my favorite spots at Baruch college since there are so many resources and I find myself to be productive there.

Vietnamese Student Association GIM #1

I was recommended by upperclassmen at Baruch College and StonyBrook University to join Baruch VSA. Initially, I did not think that I would have much interest in the club, but the first general interest meeting changed my perspective. I went to the first general interest meeting for VSA on August 31st, 2017. To my astonishment, everyone was very friendly and welcoming. A lot of the members went up to me and my friend and greeted us. At the general interest meeting, I learned more about the club, such as its goals and services. The goal of VSA is to promote cultural awareness and increase ethnic diversity. I noticed that not everyone there was Vietnamese. We played a game, where we were to attribute an action/gesture to our names and the purpose was to get to know one another, whereas we were supposed to repeat and mimic the names and gestures of those preceding our turn. I kept forgetting the names of the people in my group and I was also vey shy when imitating their actions. However, I envied that everyone in my group was very outgoing and bold, it had inspired me to become a more open person and overcome my shyness. After the game, members of VSA gave out Bánh mì to everyone who attended. Although my friend and I had already eaten prior to coming to the meeting, several members offered Bánh mì to us, which I thought was very nice and considerate of them. During the meeting, I had a lot of fun meeting different people and learning more about the club. I really enjoyed the vibe of the club, no one was excluded and it seemed that we all had a good time. I will definitely be going to more VSA events in the near future.